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The Rolling Stones return to Europe for the 'No Filter' tour

The Rolling Stones kick off their 2017 "No Filter" European tour this weekend, with some 82,000 fans expected at the Stadtpark in Hamburg. The band continues making rock 'n' roll history after five decades of success.

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

Four guys, one fate

Forever a rock 'n' roller? The Rolling Stones are among the world's oldest rock bands. On average, they're now 73 years old. You may be able to read their age on their faces, but their energy doesn't seem to have diminished, as they are still up for the challenge of a European tour with 13 concerts in nine countries. Their sets include classic hits as well as lesser-heard tracks.

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

Starting out with rhythm and blues

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards met each other at school. In 1962, they founded The Rolling Stones. Also performing at their first concert in London were Tony Chapman (drums), Dick Taylor (bass) and Ian Stewart (piano). Another line-up followed with Brian Jones (second guitar), Bill Wyman (bass) and Charlie Watts (drums), who performed on the first album, "The Rolling Stones," in 1964.

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

Bad boy band

With their feel-good songs, The Beatles were already achieving world fame in 1964. That's why Andrew Loog Oldham, then manager of the Stones, wanted to create a counterpole to the Fab Four. They were to become famous as the "bad boys" - although, during their first TV performance in the show "Ready Steady Go," they came across as harmless good guys.

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

Another image

One year later, on September 11, The Rolling Stones gave their first concert in West Germany - in the rather conservative city of Münster. The police had a hard time keeping their fans under control. Most residents in Münster, however, eyed the Stones with suspicion. They were actually lucky, though. Fans in Berlin demolished a stage during a later concert.

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

Sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll

During the 1960s, no other rock band came to symbolize this image more than the Stones. The combination of rock music, free love and drug consumption seemed to be an omnipresent phenomenon. Stones guitarist Brian Jones became ill from his drug use, which is why he left the band in June 1969. A short time later, he drowned in his swimming pool under mysterious circumstances.

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

An ingenious idea

In May 1965, the Stones went on their third tour across the US, once again playing cover versions of US hits. They still hadn't produced enough songs of their own. One night, Keith played a new melody on his guitar, and he loved it so much that he recorded it and had Mick listen to it. It was the hookline of their first worldwide hit, "Satisfaction."

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

Congenial partners

Keith was the one who wrote the tunes and harmonies, while Mick added texts and vocals. Working together in this way they created the foundation of many songs - among them quite a few global hits like "Sticky Fingers," "Exile on Mainstreet" and "Beggar's Banquet."

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

Shock in Altamont

The Altamont Free Concert, initiated by the Stones management, was intended as a peaceful counter event to Woodstock. With the Stones on stage were, among others, Santana, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Jefferson Airplane. When the Stones appeared, there was a great deal of upheaval among the audience and the concert needed to be interrupted. Controlling the situation were the Hells Angels.

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

The end of the hippie era

When the Stones were playing "Under my Thumb," a man collapsed in front of the stage after a member of the Hells Angels stabbed him in the back. The band was shocked. Later, they finished the Altamont Free Concert. "If Woodstock was the dream," said British photographer Eamon McCabe later, "then Altamont was the nightmare." This day, December 6,1969, saw the end of the hippie era.

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

Live and raw

Altamont made dent, but only for a short time. The Stones continued with their straight rock 'n' roll, a style that made them world famous. And the Stones wouldn't have been the Stones if they had stopped giving concerts or going on tours. For 50 years, they've successfuly been applying that approach. In 2003, pictured, they performed in Moscow.

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

'I'm a rolling stone'

In 2006, Japanese fans enjoyed a Stones concert in the city of Saitama, north of Tokyo (pictured). Some time later, the Stones performed in the Serbian capital of Belgrade. These fans were also likely to know where the band's name came from. Apparently, Brian Jones was inspired by the blues hit "Mannish Boy" by Muddy Waters, which contained the line, "I'm a rolling stone."

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

Rocking to retirement

Even at an older age - Mick and Keith are now over 70 - The Rolling Stones continue to tour around the world. In May 2014, for example, they performed during the Rio Lisboa Music Festival in Lisbon. And, as usual, they gave their very best, much to the joy of their Portuguese fans.

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

Cuba - we'll be there

In February 2016, the Rolling Stones started their América-Latina-Olé-Tour in Santiago de Chile, giving their final concert at the end of March in Cuba. It was a free event in a sports park in Havana, where the boys did their best to demonstrate how fit they were. In the picture, the band has just landed at the airport of Havana. The concert DVD "Havana Moon" was released in November.

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

'No Filter' Tour comes to Germany

Fortunately for German fans, the band is once again crossing the Atlantic. On September 9, 2017, the "No Filter" tour arrives at the port city of Hamburg before heading to two more German venues, Munich's Olympic Stadium on September 12 and the Dusseldorf Arena on October 9. But it will take some luck to get a ticket, since no one knows when - or if - the Stones will play in Germany again.

Author: Silke Wünsch (ad)

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

Four guys, one fate

Forever a rock 'n' roller? The Rolling Stones are among the world's oldest rock bands. On average, they're now 73 years old. You may be able to read their age on their faces, but their energy doesn't seem to have diminished, as they are still up for the challenge of a European tour with 13 concerts in nine countries. Their sets include classic hits as well as lesser-heard tracks.

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

Starting out with rhythm and blues

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards met each other at school. In 1962, they founded The Rolling Stones. Also performing at their first concert in London were Tony Chapman (drums), Dick Taylor (bass) and Ian Stewart (piano). Another line-up followed with Brian Jones (second guitar), Bill Wyman (bass) and Charlie Watts (drums), who performed on the first album, "The Rolling Stones," in 1964.

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

Bad boy band

With their feel-good songs, The Beatles were already achieving world fame in 1964. That's why Andrew Loog Oldham, then manager of the Stones, wanted to create a counterpole to the Fab Four. They were to become famous as the "bad boys" - although, during their first TV performance in the show "Ready Steady Go," they came across as harmless good guys.

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

Another image

One year later, on September 11, The Rolling Stones gave their first concert in West Germany - in the rather conservative city of Münster. The police had a hard time keeping their fans under control. Most residents in Münster, however, eyed the Stones with suspicion. They were actually lucky, though. Fans in Berlin demolished a stage during a later concert.

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

Sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll

During the 1960s, no other rock band came to symbolize this image more than the Stones. The combination of rock music, free love and drug consumption seemed to be an omnipresent phenomenon. Stones guitarist Brian Jones became ill from his drug use, which is why he left the band in June 1969. A short time later, he drowned in his swimming pool under mysterious circumstances.

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

An ingenious idea

In May 1965, the Stones went on their third tour across the US, once again playing cover versions of US hits. They still hadn't produced enough songs of their own. One night, Keith played a new melody on his guitar, and he loved it so much that he recorded it and had Mick listen to it. It was the hookline of their first worldwide hit, "Satisfaction."

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

Congenial partners

Keith was the one who wrote the tunes and harmonies, while Mick added texts and vocals. Working together in this way they created the foundation of many songs - among them quite a few global hits like "Sticky Fingers," "Exile on Mainstreet" and "Beggar's Banquet."

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

Shock in Altamont

The Altamont Free Concert, initiated by the Stones management, was intended as a peaceful counter event to Woodstock. With the Stones on stage were, among others, Santana, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Jefferson Airplane. When the Stones appeared, there was a great deal of upheaval among the audience and the concert needed to be interrupted. Controlling the situation were the Hells Angels.

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

The end of the hippie era

When the Stones were playing "Under my Thumb," a man collapsed in front of the stage after a member of the Hells Angels stabbed him in the back. The band was shocked. Later, they finished the Altamont Free Concert. "If Woodstock was the dream," said British photographer Eamon McCabe later, "then Altamont was the nightmare." This day, December 6,1969, saw the end of the hippie era.

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

Live and raw

Altamont made dent, but only for a short time. The Stones continued with their straight rock 'n' roll, a style that made them world famous. And the Stones wouldn't have been the Stones if they had stopped giving concerts or going on tours. For 50 years, they've successfuly been applying that approach. In 2003, pictured, they performed in Moscow.

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

'I'm a rolling stone'

In 2006, Japanese fans enjoyed a Stones concert in the city of Saitama, north of Tokyo (pictured). Some time later, the Stones performed in the Serbian capital of Belgrade. These fans were also likely to know where the band's name came from. Apparently, Brian Jones was inspired by the blues hit "Mannish Boy" by Muddy Waters, which contained the line, "I'm a rolling stone."

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

Rocking to retirement

Even at an older age - Mick and Keith are now over 70 - The Rolling Stones continue to tour around the world. In May 2014, for example, they performed during the Rio Lisboa Music Festival in Lisbon. And, as usual, they gave their very best, much to the joy of their Portuguese fans.

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

Cuba - we'll be there

In February 2016, the Rolling Stones started their América-Latina-Olé-Tour in Santiago de Chile, giving their final concert at the end of March in Cuba. It was a free event in a sports park in Havana, where the boys did their best to demonstrate how fit they were. In the picture, the band has just landed at the airport of Havana. The concert DVD "Havana Moon" was released in November.

The Rolling Stones bring sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll back to Germany

'No Filter' Tour comes to Germany

Fortunately for German fans, the band is once again crossing the Atlantic. On September 9, 2017, the "No Filter" tour arrives at the port city of Hamburg before heading to two more German venues, Munich's Olympic Stadium on September 12 and the Dusseldorf Arena on October 9. But it will take some luck to get a ticket, since no one knows when - or if - the Stones will play in Germany again.

Author: Silke Wünsch (ad)

The Rolling Stones new tour called "Stones — No Filter" kicks off at the Stadtpark in Hamburg on Saturday, September 9, and heads to Munich afterwards. The band is scheduled to play 13 shows in 12 different venues across Europe in September and October.

The tour unites Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood. The rock stars themselves seem to be as excited as their fans about the start of "No Filter," and they have eagerly been posting pictures of their rehearsals and a countdown clock to the tour's start under the hashtag #StonesNoFilter on their respective social media accounts.

The legendary band will treat their European fans to classics such as "Gimme Shelter," "Paint It Black," "Jumpin' Jack Flash," "Tumbling Dice" and "Brown Sugar." They will also include a number of unexpected tracks each night, as well as a series of randomly selected surprises.

The Rolling Stones have meanwhile also asked fans to choose their favorite song to perform at their opening event in Hamburg.

The band will tour several major European cities before finishing with two shows in Paris at the brand new U Arena.